In Defense Of Plastic Surgery

Perhaps by paying for cosmetic surgery—and thus allocating resources to cosmetic medicine—we do something for which future generations will thank us. This could be the case if two premises hold true: The first premise is that transhumanists are right that real technological improvement comes when we start manipulating, not just our environments, but also our bodies. The second premise is that the cradle of such improvements is cosmetic improvement; that the most likely starting point of human enhancement is aesthetic enhancement.

Aesthetic enhancement has a long tradition, going back to early body painting, tattoos, and primitive jewelry, showing that we have a significant drive towards looking better. Today, that drive manifests itself in a formidable willingness to spend money on our looks. That drive and that money could make the most fascinating technologies of the future grow out of the cosmetic industry.

(Photo: Jahmar Bailey works on preparing a mannequin that sports extra large breasts for the display window of the Ocean 9ine store on April 26, 2010 in Miami Beach, Florida. A recent phenomenon in curvy mannequins is thought to be a reflection in the number of women who now have plastic surgery as well as catering to men's fondness for large boobs. By Joe Raedle/Getty Images.)